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THE GRASS FAMILY. |
OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, AT TIVEIR ANNUAL FAIR
AT RANDOLPH, N. Y., SEPTEMBER 14, 1877.
Sy;
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PROF. J. T. EDWARDS, D. D.
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Se SLs Mae Br TA SOCTHRIT.
RANDOLPH, N. Y.
F. J.& D. D. Lockwood, Printers,
WEEKLY REGISTER.
1877.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year 1877, by
JAMES T. EDWARDS,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
THE GRASS FAMILY.
— 0 fo ee
Mr. PRESIDENT, GENTLEMEN OF THE SOCIETY, LADIES AND GEN-
TLEMEN:
Bountiful crops have again rewarded the labor of the husbandman.
We have never had more abundant harvests. In our own immediate
vicinity, all these lovely fields and meadows have yielded their richest
increase. ‘lhe fragrant clover, the sweet-scented vernal-grass, the
purple-spiked timothy, the rosy-tipped red top, the graceful panicles
of oats, the wheat, barley, corn and millet, have clothed the earth
with verdure and filled the air with sweetest odors; while, in spite of
bugs and grubs, the ground is fairly bursting with goodly tubers,
aud every hedge and ‘*good-for-nothing place” has blessed the boys
and girls with berries by the bushel.
Our orchards are bending with luscious fruit, and our gardens have
long paid tribute to the well-spread table. It is delightful to gather
here to-day and celebrate these peaceful triumphs of industry; not
forgetting Him ‘twhose goodness crowns the cireling year.”
a.
In beautiful and appropriate words, Whittier has sung of these har-
vest days. The notes of his lyre are always sweetest when wakened
by his sympathy with human trials and successes:
The Persian’s flowery gifts, the shrine
Of fruitful Ceres, charm no more;
The woven wreath of oak and pine
Are dust along the Isthmian shore.
But beauty hath its homage still,
And Nature holds us still in debt;
And woman’s grace and household skill,
And manhood’s toil are honored yet.
O, favors, every year made new!
QO, gifts, with rain and sunshine sent!
The bounty overruns our due—
The fullness shames our discontent.
.
We shut our eyes, the flowers bloom on;
We murmur, but the corn-ears fill;
We choose the shadow, but the sun
That casts it, shines behind us still.
And we, to-day, amidst our flowers
And fruits, have come to own again
The blessings of the summer hours,
The early and the latter rain;
To see our Father’s hand once more
Reverse for us the plenteous horn
Of autumn, filled and running o’er
With fruits, and flowers, and golden corn!
Once more the liberal year laughs out
O’er richer stores than gems or gold; (
Once more, with harvest song and shout,
Is Nature’s bloodless triumph told.
There is a peculiar fitness and value in these September celebra-
tions, now common to the whole country, where the first and most
important occupation of man seeks the true and beneficent results of
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT.
No other assemblies surpass in interest and importance the annual
Fairs of our Agricultural Societies. From their rise there dates a
new era in human improvement.
One hundred years ago there was not a society of this kind on the
continent; now two thousand are enumerated. ‘The Philadelphia
“Society for the Improvement of Agriculture” was established in
1784, being the first in this country. South Carolina founded one the
same year, and that was next followed, in 1791, by a similar associa-
tion in New York, which still exists. Statesmanship now deems it wise
economy to publish, by State enactment, the proceedings of most of
our State societies; and many county and district fairs contribute
largely to our stock of useful information, and excite a wholesome
rivalry among the farmers of the region in which they are held.
3.
This union of hands and heads has created a complete revolution
in the art of farming. From the mental activity thus fostered, have
sprung numerous inventions to mitigate the labors of man, and give
him more complete dominion over the soil,
In his Political Economy, published about forty years ago, and
which is still used in our colleges, Dr. Wayland says; ‘‘Agriculture
is the only industry which, thus far, has failed to profit to any extent
from invention or labor-saving machinery.” If the work were revised
how would that passage now read? When, for instance, a California
farmer tells us that from his own farm forty thousand bushels of
grain were harvested, thrashed, cleaned and stored in granaries in
thirty-six days, by twenty-two men.
The farmer in this country does not stand alone, but belongs to
a co-operative fraternity of more than six millions of men. This
comprises about one-half of the persons engaged in all classes of oc-
cupations.
In 1870 there were two million six hundred and sixty thousand
farms in the United States. It has been well said, that if the labors
of the farmer should cease fora single year, the human race would
perish, while the hum of all other industries might be hushed,
and humanity still survive.
Thus we call the roll of this noble army of toilers, that you may
gather courage from your numbers, especially when you remember
that there is now, as never before, for the advancement of your pro-
fession throughout the land, a grand union of
THOUGHT AND TOIL.
That was a great step forward when men began to think of new
and better ways, instead of blindly stumbling forward in the old
rough ones. Think of our insisting on that long-observed custom,
that a man should not hold a plow until he could make one! The far-
mer has ceased to be a machine; he reads, observes, compares and
reasons.
In 1870 there were ninety-three agricultural and horticultural pa-
pers and periodicals, with an aggregate annual issue of twenty-one
million five hundred thousand copies. In short, the farmer now does
what the artist does, ‘tmixes brains” with what he digs. Thought has
sifted the soils, introduced the crucible and scales, weighed the ele-
ments of earth, air, plant and animal, studied their adaptations, sug-
gested the rotation of crops and the introduction of feltilizers. A
hundred years ago, Lord Kames thus describes farming in Scotland.
He says: ‘Our draught horses are miserable creatures, without
strength or mettle; our oxen scarcely able to support their weight,
and two going in a plow, led on by two horses; the ridges in the fields
high and broad, in fact enormous masses of accumulated earth that
could not admit of cross plowing or cultivation; shallow plowing uni-
versal; ribbing, by which half the land was left untilled, a general
4.
practice over the greater part of Scotland; a continual struggle be-
tween corn and weeds for supremacy; the roller almost unknown; no
harrowing before sowing, and the seed sown into rough and uneven
ground where half of it was buried; no branch of husbandry less
understood than manure; potatoes generally planted in lazy beds;
swine but little attended to; and very few farms in Scotland pro-
portioned to the skill and ability of the tenant.” A sad picture, but
often witnessed in those early times, when half the stock would per-
ish in the winter, and the wretched peasantry eked out a miserable
existence. But the Scotchmen began to think and study better meth-
ods, and mark the results; their rugged soil ‘tbuds and blossoms like
the rose.” The late lamented John Stanton Gould says, that on the
beautiful meadows of Edinburg, they have produced in one year, in
six consecutive cuttings, twenty tons of excellent hay from a single
acre. This would seem to indicate the possibility of
PERENNIAL FERTILITY.
Since Chemistry has ascertained what vegetation demands for its
growth, and points out the sources for supply, it only remains for
man to furnish himself with these fertilizers, and prolong indefinitely
the richness of the soil.
Ts it not surprising that more progress has been made in the physi-
ological and chemical knowledge pertaining to this subject, during
the last thirty years, than in all time before? Doubtless there is yet
great waste. Victor Hugo declared some years ago, that the man
who would invent some inethod of saving the refuse of our cities,
which now largely flows into the sea, would be a benefactor of our
race. That problem will sometime be solved. In the meantime we
have learned this much, that the fertility of land need not be exhaust-
ed; for England now supplies a population of twenty millions, from
the same soil, that, at the beginning of the century scantily sustained
seven millions; and our oldest states are now more productive than
they were fifty years ago.
I have alluded to these more general topics by way of showing
how vast are the interests committed to the hands of the husbandman,
and what benefits arise from an intelligent and studious consideration
of the best means for cultivating the soil. The study of agriculture
is indeed
THE GREATEST OF THE SCIENCES,
for it includes all the natural sciences and some other branches be-
sides. Prof. Samuel T. Johnson has remarked: ‘It includes some-
thing from nearly every department of human learning. The nat-
ural sciences, geology, meteorology, mechanics, physics, chemistry,
botany, zoology and physiology are most intimately related to it.
It is not less concerned with social and political economy, than
with commerce and law.”
-
ae
Nowhere are the results of scientific study and careful culture
more evident and interesting than in the present cultivation of that
most important branch of the vegetable kingdom called
THE GRASSES.
We wonder how people lived in the early times when we learn,
that, prior to the landing of the Pilgrims, our English ancestors had
no potatoes, corn, turnips, squashes, carrots nor cabbages; and are
still more surprised to find that, up to that date, there had been no
sowing of grass seed, nor artificial propagation of what are termed
‘forage plants.” For ages, on the fertile meadows, nature had been
scattering, with prodigal hand, the seeds of the grasses, and the hills
and valleys of England were covered with a soft, thick natural
verdure. In this country it was different. Our hardy ancestors found
no velvety greensward; if they possessed it, it must be through culti-
vation; hence, grasses were sown in the new world before they were
in the old.
King George’s soldiers returned, after the close of the Revolution,
bearing in their hands the seeds of the timothy, and in their heads
the metho:ls of improved grass-culture which they had here observed.
It were a question whether this alone has not, in the aggregate, paid
England full price for her lost colonies. War is a great disseminator
of seeds as wellas principles. The defeated crusaders came back
from Constantinople bearing with them, from the East, the germs of
knowledge and art, which, implanted in Europe, sprang up to adorn
it with the products of a higher civilization.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GRASSES.
Isuppose the United States Census Report is not usually regard-
ed as very entertaining literature; but I have been greatly interested
in the statements of that seldom-read and much-abused document.
Its figures are more eloquent than a poem. No Cattaraugus man can
read, without delight, that his own county now produces annually,
four million pounds of butter and cheese, and that on her grassy slopes
grow two hundred thousand tons of hay. If not literally flowing
with milk and honey, there were sold of the former, in 1870, seven
million five hundred and fifty-eight thousand nine hundred and sey-
enty-eight gallons, and of the latter eleven thousand six hundred and
sixty-eight lbs. ;
Among the most valuable features of the report is the collec-
tion of
CROP MAPS,
which, by a system of shading, show at a glance the relative produc-
tion of different parts of the country. These maps reveal the sources
of our wealth and the adaptation of our soil to a particular crop, as
compared with that of other localities. For example; take the yel-
low map, representing the dairying sections of the United States.
6.
Four shades of color are given, the deepest tint marking those regions
where the dairy products are over forty dollars per-capita. You will
be interested to know what sections are covered by this golden lustre.
They are all in New York, with the exception of a few square miles
in California, half a county in Ohio, and the same amount of territory
in Vermont: The favored spots in this State are Orange County; a
stretch of land through the centre, extending from the junetion of
the Pennsylvania line with the Susquehanna River, to the Thousand
Islands, thence down the St. Lawrence to the Canada line, thence
back to the place of starting, embracing half a dozen counties; and
lastly, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, comprising in all, per-
haps, one-fifth of the State; a pleasant showing, yet how inferior to
that in the good time coming, when each acre of the now uncultivat-
ed thousands in the valley of the Conewango, shall yield, as I have
no doubt it will, five tons of waving timothy and cock’s-foot, present-
ing a picture more beautiful than the Northampton meadows or the
green fields of the Mohawk. Passing the tobacco map, which, I am
happy to say, shows this corner of the State in virgin white, we next
glance at the
HAY MAP.
This appears in five shades of crimson, spread upon the white
page. ‘The deepest color is scarce again. ‘There isa little of it in
Maine, one small spot in Vermont, three or four counties in the cen#
tre of New York, the whole of Cattaraugus county, and about one-
third of Alleghany, Erie and Chautauqua counties; then no more un-
til we reach the magnificent grass-lands of Minnesota, Lowa, Nebras-
ka and Kansas, although it is by no means continuous there.
THE CORN CROP MAP
does not give New York an acre, even in the faintest shade; and yet
corn, a true grass, as we shall see hereafter, grows well here, often
yielding fifty or sixty bushels to the acre.
THE WHEAT CROP MAP
leaves this corner of the State in pure white; a little strip in the val-
ley of the Genesee rises to the dignity of second grade, but there are
two grades above it, the highest being found in California alone.
A careful examination of these four members of the great family
named, reveals the fact that the Mississippi Valley, with its mighty
tributaries, is destined to yield the corn and wheat for this, and per-
haps other lands, when a teeming population of many millions shall
throng these shores, as did once the mighty multitudes along the Nile,
the Tigris and the Euphrates. Population has ever sought fertility of
soil, and there is a very close relation between the crop returns and
the census of population. It has been recently shown that there is
also a close connection between crops and crime.
7.
We learn from these. maps that we, in this sectiou, are not to de-
pend upon corn and wheat, but upon those humbler, but not less use-
ful members of this family, commonly called the forage plants. These
constitute the bountiful source of our prosperity, of well-filled barns
and overflowing milk pails; not ‘‘the green herb for the use of man,”
but the grass grown for cattle.
As there is frequent occasion to mention the term family, it be-
comes necessary to inquire what, in a botanical sense, is
A FAMILY.
It is not what is understood when we speak of families among
men, for then we refer to the group of persons living in the same do-
mestie circle, or possibly a collection of individuals closely connected
by the ties of blood. The term family is the name fora very wide
class of plants, which embraces many genera, and each of these in
turn, many species. What, then, is a species? <A species is a collec-
tion of individuals which have a common parentage, and also possess
certain essential charteteristics in common.
We do not propose to enter into a learned discussion in regard to
the origin of species, but so far as we know, one species does not be-
come another: Important changes may take place, thus forming
strongly marked groups, and these we call varieties. Thus we ob-
tain variecies of the species horse, or varieties of apples and _ pota-
toes. One man raised 6,000 varieties of potatoes. Individuals with
acommon parentage, then, form a species; of these thousands of
species some look alike, have similar habits, and other points of re-
semblance; those having these correspondences form a genera;—again
of these thousands of plant genera, you may find some which have
features alike as to flower, fruitand mode of growth. ‘These are
grouped into a large class called a family. Individuals form species,
species form genera, genera form families. This is equally true of
both sub-kingdoms of the organized world. Perhaps it can be most
readily seen among animals. For example: there is the cat family,
embracing the lion, tiger, leopard, panther, wild-cat, and some others.
Place them together, and no one will fail to see that they resemble
each other. ‘The dog family, including the hyena, jackal, fox, wolf
and dog, have so striking a resemblance to each other that many have
supposed that they are of common parentage, which is not the fact.
But while different species may produce monstrosities, monstrosities
do not perpetuate themselves.
We sball now see wiat is meant by the
GRASS FAMILY.
This is a great collection of plants called the Gramineae, which,
according to Wood, includes 300 genera, and 8,800 species, or about
one-sixth of all the plants in the world. What then isa grass? It is
a plant with a hollow stem, having joints that make a horizontal par-
&.
tition across the stem, with leaves which form an open sheath part
way up the stem, terminating usually in a slender blade, and general-
ly, at the point of junction of the blade and sheath, has a small ap-
pendage called a ligule.
The grass is further distinguished by its growth, flower and fruit.
The stem or culm terminates in a flower-stalk, which is usually a
spike, racime or panicle, terms which a little investigation will make
clear. The flowers are very small, and you will look in vain for the
showy petals and sepals which adorn our roses, pinks and lilies; in
place of these, enclosing the essential organs, the stamens and pistils,
there are scaly leaves called palea and glumes, other names for what
the miller calls chaff. The seed-vessel is simple, with one ascending
ovule or seed, which divides into two styles, and these terminate in two
feathery stigmas. When the ovule ripens it forms a grain called
caryopsis. The leaves have veins running lengthwise, and grow on
opposite sides of the stem, one above another.
The grasses are often confounded with the sedges, a numerous
family, embracing 2,000 species, but the latter have a solid stem
and closed sheath. ‘The clovers do not belong to this family, but
are often called the ‘‘artificial grasses,” They have, however, a
different leaf, flower and fruit.
It is a singular testimony to the value of the grasses, that there
is but one species in all this vast collection that possesses poisonous.
properties, and that is the bearded darnel (Soliwm temulentum), a
rare plant, sometimes found in grain fields.
This noble family stands as the connecting link between the
mineral and animal world, transforming, with unelring skill, the in-
nutritious elements of the former, into food for the latter.
‘All flesh is grass,” says the inspired penman; and ‘‘all flesh is
grass,” repeats the man of science.
The poison ivy, the sumac, the nightshade, the laurel, and hun-
dreds of other plants, may distil from the same soil their noxious
juices, but this faithful ally of the human family, with unvarying
certainty, stores up its nourishment for man and beast. It has a
marvelous power of adaptation to different situations and climates.
Some of its representatives, found on the coast of Greenland, are
scarcely longer than the hairs upon a squirrel’s back, while in the
tropics others rise to the height of lofty trees. I have, myself, seen
corn grow fifteen feet in height. So that Dean Swift, in his masterly
satire, was not so far from the truth, when, speaking of the land of
giants, he said: ‘‘That which surprised me most was the height of
the grass, which, in those grounds, was about twenty feet.”
An American poet has written a graceful lyric, in the refrain of
which he makes the grasses say: ‘‘I come creeping, creeping every-
where;” and surely there is scarcely a spot where they are not found.
Dr. Kane, in his Arctic travels, gathered their stunted stems, and,
9.
alas! mourned their loss when the rats broke into his collection and
ate them; but he consoled himself with the reflection—a comforting
one, for the crew had the scurvy—that they might catch the rats the
fatter for the meal.
They carpet the meadows, climb the hillsides, fringe the brooks,
and even in the deep, shady nooks, lift toward the giant trees their
slender, graceful heads. ‘The snows of the mountains have hardly
melted before the valleys smile with their verdure, and the rugged
rocks are robbed of their harshness by the twining grasses in their
clefts. Even the shifting sands of the ocean beach are held in place
by their long and fibrous root-stalks. Nature has provided that their
seeds should be almost indestructible. ‘They have lain in the ground
for hundreds of years, and under favorable circumstances have ger-
minated; they have been found in the ancient tombs of Egypvian
kings, and with sunlight and moisture have sprung again to life.
This characteristic renders them invaluable to man, as they may be
stored for a great length of time in granaries,
Thousands of the Granmineae are comparatively unknown, and a
select few only can be here considered. ‘These are the more aristo-
eratic members of the family, although some of them are of humble
origin. Dr. Holmes has remarked, that itis not wise for us to be
too particular in looking up our genealogical line, for we may find it
waxed at the other end, or terminating ina slip-noose. But if any
of these noble scions of the grass family are reproached with their
lowly pedigree, I can imagine them replying, in the language of
Cicero, to a young sprig of the Roman nobility, who reproached him
with his humble birth: ‘‘The difference between you and me, is this:
the greatness of your family ends with you; the greatness of mine
begins with me!”
We propose to speak briefly of about a score of species. If any
are disposed to pursue this interesting study still further, they will
find rich imuterial in the exhaustless treasures of Prof. Gray’s bota-
ny, and in the admirable treatises on Grasses by Flint and others. In
1869, John Stanton Gould wrote a very learned lecture on this sub-
ject, which was printed in the Agricultural Report of the State So-
ciety of that year; and I have been shown, by the accomplished Sec-
retary, Mr. Harrison, a work in manuscript upon the artificial grasses,
by the same author. Both these treatises would be a perfect treasure
to the farmer, if published for general distribution. Agriculturalists
long felt a contempt for the theorizings of book-farming. One of
these theorizers has been thus sarcastically described as ‘spending
eight years upon a project for extracting sunbeams out of cucum-
bers, which were to be put into vials, hermetically sealed, and let
out to warm the air in raw, inclement weather.” After all, the
dreamer was not so far out of the way, for what are cucumbers but
condensed sunshine ?
70.
We have learned to respect these investigators, and that a spirit
of observation and research is a fruitful source of agricultural pro-
gress. There is a saying which has been so often misquoted, that I
venture to give it literally. It occurs in Gulliver’s Travels. The
King of Brobdingnag says: *‘Whoever could make two ears of corn or
two blades of grass grow upon aspot of ground where only one grew
before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential ser-
vice to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.”
A computation has been made of the financial results of making the
two blades of grass grow where there was but one. As the annual
hay crop of this country is estimated to be worth $400,000,000, the in-
crease to our revenues thereby would be, in three years, over a thou-
sand million dollars; and there are those who claim that it is possible,
in a short time, to accomplish this work. If this be so, surely a care-
ful and scientific study of the grasses promises the richest results.
HERD’S GRASS, TIMOTHY, CATS-TAIL GRASS.
(Phleum pratense.)
The last of these names was given to this grass on account of the
supposed resemblance to the caudal appendage of the cat. The first
was derived from the name of a man, who found it growing in Pisca-
taqua, N. A., in the early part of the last century, and began to
cultivate it. Afterwards it received the name of Timothy, from
Timothy Hanson, who cultivated it extensively in North Carolina,
and recommended it to the people of Great Britain. Some authors
state that it was introduced into England, from Virginia, by Peter
Wynche, in 1761, It is generally regarded as the most valuable of
our grasses raised for hay, and is used extensively in Britain, Lap-
land, Sweden, ‘Norway, the United States and Canada. According
to chemical analysis, it is the most nutritious of our grasses if cut at
the right time, and commands the highest price in market. The
proper time for cutting has long been a question of discussion, but
our best authorities now agree that it is when it is about half blown.
If the stalk is examined at this time, a yellow spot will be found
above the first joint. At this stage, the nourishing matter isin the
leaves and stem, but should it be permitted to go beyond this, much
of it will pass to the seeds, and when dead ripe most of the seeds will
fall in handling the hay, and there will thus be left for the cattle noth-
ing but the dry and tasteless stalks. Any farmer, with the slightest
observation, must have noted the difference in the appearance of his
cattle when wintered upon the one kind or the other. There is a very
important reason why it should not be cut before this period. Nature
has a wonderful way of storing up nourishment in the seed or root
of the old plant for the use of the new. This is seen in many of the
bulbs and seeds used by man for food. The same arrangement is
found in timothy. About the time of flowering, a bulb is formed,
Fi.
just beneath the ground, (though one kind of timothy has fibrous
roots), and in it is packed away, through the elaboration of the leaves
and stem, a large amount of nutriment upon which, when the grass
sprouts again, it feeds. Again, it has been found essential not to cut
below the lowest joint. There is reason to believe that most of our
mowing machines are set too low. Timothy is nota good grass for
pasture, for reasons that have been intimated. The rowen grows
slowly, and when horses and sheep feed upon the pasture, being very
fond of the bulbs, they nip them or pull them up, and thus ‘‘kill the
hen that lays the goldenegg.” The greatest yield of timothy up-
on a single acre in this country wassix tons. The tallest stalk was
raised by Charles Collins, Montgomery, Pa., and measured seven feet
and eight inches. The longest spike on record was eleven inches.
The average crop, throughout the United States, is one and one-
quarter tons to the acre. When in full bloom, its purple blossoms
trembling at the zephyr’s touch, and the tall stem swayed by each
passing breeze, it presents a very beautiful appearance.
MEADOW FOx-TAIL.
(Alopecurus Pratensis. )
This is a grass which closely resembles timothy, and is often
mistaken for it. It is not abundant here, but may be occasionally
found. This plant flowers the first of June, and may be known on
this account. It can be further distinguished from the fact that the
head of timothy is longer, and is rough to the touch, while this is
smooth. This is one of the earliest and best pasture grasses known.
Cattle are extremely fond of it, and it bears cropping admirably; but
if cut for hay the loss from drying is very great. Itis the principal
- grass in most of the rich natural pastures of Great Britain.
Mr. Way, who made a careful chemical analysis of many grasses,
shows that on account of the loss in curing, when this is worth four
dollars and fourteen cents per ton, timothy would be worth ten dol-
lars. Yet all agree that as a pasture grass it has no superior. It is
early, sweet, and renews itself very rapidly.
There is another Fox-tail, sometimes called Bottle-grass and Corn-
grass, of quite a different character. It is found in corn fields, barn
yards and potato patches, and is usually voted a nuisance, although,
if we should ask the birds, they might give a very different verdict, as
they seem fond of the numerous seeds which crown its summit.
RED-TOP, FINE-TOP, BURDIN’s GRASS, (Herd’s Grass in Pennsyl-
vania and the South,) RHODE ISLAND, BENT.
(Agrostis Vulgaris.)
‘This must have been common among the Greeks, for the name
Agrostis signifies field. If you should go to a dealer and inquire for
either of the above named grasses, he would probably tell you that
her
he kept them all. But he would furnish their seed from the same
barrel; they are really one. Itisa grass that exhibits itself under
quite different aspects in varying situations. Sometimes the panicles
are very slight and graceful, at others, strong and tall, but almost al-
ways distinguishable, from the brownish red of its blossoms. It is
a good pasture grass, though the cattle give it a second or third place
in their choice.
ORCHARD GRASS, ROUGH COCK’S-FOOT.
(Dactylis Glomerata. )
I have been greatly interested in studying this grass, and I am
satisfied that it could be more extensively sown in this region, with
great adyantage. It grows luxuriantly, and matures by the middle
of June. Its aftermath developes so rapidly, that in many eases it
would be easy to secure a large second crop. No grass suffers less
from cropping, or grows more rapidly afterwards. One farmer says
if his cattle went to bed without supper, they could have a good bite
for breakfast. Some time ago, a collection of grasses was presented
to a jury of cows, and they expressed a decided preference for or-
chard grass. ‘The roots are fibrous, and consequently not easily in-
jured. ‘As it ripens about the same time as clover, if sown together,
they could both be cut at the most appropriate season, which cannot
be the case when clover and timothy are sown, for they ripen at dif-
ferent times. I saw a piece this summer, sown on a lawn. <A worse
mistake could hardly have been made, for its mode of growth untfits
it for that purpose; but it gave a most magnificent yield of three tons
to the acre. Iam satisfied that the farmers of Cattaraugus County
should give this grass a trial, especially where they are sowing for
permanent pasture.
JUNE GRASs, KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.
( Poa Pratensis.)
This plant, which is very common in our own fields, forms the
prevailing forage of Kentucky. It may be known from its early blos-
soming, and from a woolly web at the base of its flowers. The fa-
mous pastures of Kentucky will fatten cattle faster than any other in
the world. ‘‘Where do you get your best cattle?” said I to an exten- ©
sive dealer in New York. ‘Ihe corn-fed cattle of Illinois,” he re-
plied, ‘‘are best. Kentucky cattle rank second. Texas cattle are the
poorest meat of all.”
Blue grass gives the green tinge to the mountains of Vermont,
which may appear a little paradoxical. Though blossoming so early,
it sends out a luxuriant growth of radical or root leaves, which make
capital after-feed, often remaining green all winter. In Kentucky,
the horses and sheep paw the snow away and eat it. It seems to bear
extreme cold better than any grass known. It is often found three
thousand feet above the level of the sea.
78.
It seems to be fitted for a pioneer, and it is said that having once
fastened itself upon the prairies of the west, it will sometimes displace
all other grasses. Graceful and fairy-like in its movements, and asso-
ciated with our remembrances of the first sweet green of Spring, we
look upon it as an old friend, and herald its coming with gladness.
SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL-GRASS.
(Anthoxanthum Odoratum. )
Englishmen often speak of the fact that their hay is sweeter than
ours; if so, it is largely due to the presence of this grass, asit is found
abundantly in old meadows.
There are not many of the grasses which emit agreeable odors,
but this is perhaps most marked of all. Shakespeare makes Richard
the Third exclaim, as he cools his fevered brow by walking in the
fields on the night preceding the battle which cost hima crown:—‘‘How
sweet the fragrance of the new-mown hay.” From its flowers there
protrude little sharp appendages called awns, which are strangely
sensitive to the changes of the atmosphere. They are pretty good
hydrometers on a small scale. Jf placed on the table they will con-
tract and expand in a very peculiar manner, as if they were living
beings and in a nervous state of health. The awns of wild oats have
the same peculiarity. This grass is not very valuable, but those who
find poetry in the hay field, and enjoy the sweet scent of the well-
filled mow, will be loth to part with it.
ANNUAL SPEAR GRASS.
(Poa Annua.)
Mr. Flint thinks this is the most common of all our grasses. It
looks very much like June Grass, but may be distinguished from it
by not having the fuzz below its flowers, and by having sword-shaped
leaves, crumpled at the ends. It flowers throughout the summer.
IT have now mentioned seven of our most common and valuable
grasses. They probably comprise nine-tenths of all the growth of
our meadows and pastures. A few others are particularly interesting
for their peculiarities of structure, or the curious purposes which
they serve.
BLACK GRASS.
(Juncus Bulbosus.)
Along our Atlantic sea-board it is exceedingly difficult to raise
good grass for cattle. The meadow lands are low and salt, being
often covered by the waters of the bays, and on them are found sed-
ges inabundance. Salt hay, so called, is also found there in great
quantities, but these are not very nutritious; still they are cut in vast
quantities, and sometimes shipped to the city markets. I have often
seen men loading scows with this hay, putting on board, perhaps,
ten or twenty tons, then sailing away thirty or forty miles distant,
74.
the whole looking like a huge hay stack with white wings. There is
one important exception to the inferiority of these sea-shore grasses,
and that is the black grass. Just along the line where the salt mead-
ows and the uplands meet, it grows from ten to twenty inches high,
crowned at the top with a bunch of heavy and nutritious seeds. When
combined with the goose-grass, (so called because the Canada goose
likes to feed upon it), if well cured, it makes a hay equal to timothy.
BEACH GRASS, MAT GRASS.
(Calamagrostis Arenaria.)
This has been called the most advanced sentinel of the vegetable
kingdom. It is found on the sandy coasts which form the barriers of
the sea. Many a time, when a boy, going to bathe in the surf, I have
pricked my feet with its thorny chaff, and wondered what that grass
was made for, little dreaming then, that this despised and ugly-look-
ing member of the vegetable world often accomplishes tasks which
defy the skill and appliances of. the best engineers. It has been found
to be one of the surest protections for our sandy coasts. The harbor
of Provincetown, on Cape Cod, one of the best in the world, owes
its preservation to it. In England there exists to this day a statute
against pulling it up or destroying it. Along the sea-board the winds
sometimes blow with such force that they would sweep away the
light, sandy soil, and often fill the bays and inlets if there were not
this protection. I have seen windows in the houses on the beach, hay-
ing the exact appearance of ground glass, made so by the sand that
had been blown upon them. Beach grass comes to the rescue. It
grows with long, reclining subterranean stems, sometimes forty feet
in length, from which the blades shoot up, making a net-work over
and through the sand. If the sand is blown uponif end the grass is
buried, it continues to thrive, and, indeed, seems to be improved by
this hard usage.
COMMON CRAB-GRASS, FINGER GRASS.
(Panicum Sanguinale.)
Before passing to that branch of the grass family which furnish-
es food to the human race, we pay a passing tribute to a representa-
tive of that despised tribe of the gramineae called weeds. A weed has
been defined as ‘‘a plant, growing where it is not wanted.” This one
said to get its neme, Sanguinale, bloody, from the practice of boys in
Germany pricking each others’ noses with its sharp spikes until they
bleed. Some of us remember how industriously we have labored to
eradicate it, and were surprised to find, if it had rained shortly after,
that we had planted a score of weeds where there was but one be-
fore. However, it has its merits, for its five-fingered infloresence
gives it a curious appearance, and its seeds are greatly relished by the
birds. Perhaps this feeding of birds is not regarded as an essential
yi a
part of farming; but a greater heresy than that has never cursed the
profession. If you would preserve your grasses from the bugs,
worms, caterpillars and grasshoppers, welcome the birds to your
homes. Plant trees for them, build boxes for their nests, and don’t
begrudge them a few berries and cherries.
RICE.
(Oryza Sativa.)
This furnishes the bread for half the world. The Chinese tell us
they used it two thousand eight hundred years before the birth of
Christ. The modes of planting are various, though it flourishes best
on land that can be flooded. The beautiful saying of our Saviour,
“Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many
days,” had reference to the sowing of the rice upon the river Nile,
when it had overflowed its banks. ‘There are many kinds of rice, one
hundred and sixty-one varieties being found in the Island of Ceylon
alone. The favorite variety, called ‘‘long grain,” is said to have
been obtained by a man who noticed some very large grains in his
harvest, and planted them. Another illustration of the doctrine of
selection. A New York man, by the name of Calvin Emmons, in-
vented the machine for cleaning rice, now used in the Southern
States. Is it not curious that the value of the two great products of
the South has been so much enhanced through the inventions of
two men from the North, Emmons, and Eli Whitney, who invented
the cotton gin? Our census reveals a curious fact in reference to the
rice culture, showing that there is now raised in this country but
about one-third as much as was produced twenty years ago.
CORN.
(Zea Mays.)
This is eaten by more persons than any other grain, except rice.
Its chemical composition is found to be admirably adapted to the
wants of the human family. ‘The varieties are exceedingly numer-
ous, there probably being a hundred in this country alone. They
range from the little Brazilian variety, the grain of which is not lar-
ger than a mustard seed, and the ear the size of your little finger, to
the stately southern corn, from twelve to twenty feet in height. We
can see, by observing the corn, how the seeds of plants are produced.
When it is in blossom, if we shake the stem fine dust from the stamens
on top will fill the air, and if this falls upon the little pistils, common-
ly called the silk of the ear, it will fertilize, at the inner end, the ovule,
and form the grain of corn. ‘This is essentially the process of fertil-
ization in all flowering plants. It explains what we wondered at
when we were boys: why the pop-corn, which we planted with such
bright anticipations, proved, in the autumn, to be something else, that
“wouldn’t pop worth a cent;” the pollen of other varieties had fallen
76.
on the silk. Prescott says that the discovery of Columbus, viewed in
its results, was the greatest achievement ever wrought by a human
being. The introduction of corn into the old world was not the least
of these benefits. In 1872, there was raised in this country, seven
hundred and sixty million nine hundred and forty-four thousand five
hundred and forty-nine bushels of corm. We _ shipped abroad, in
1873, twenty-five million bushels. The largest yield of corn record-
ed for a single acre, is two hundred bushels. It was raised by Dr.
Parker, of South Carolina. A smaller area has yielded at the rate of
two hundred and sixty-three bushels.
The practice of sowing corn for fodder is of recent origin, and
the man who will invent a process for curing it rapidly and thorough-
ly, will take rank as a public benefactor.
The Arabs have long been in the habit of selling to unsuspecting
travelers: ‘‘Mummy corn, from the tombs of Egypt.” It is a pity to
explode so fine a fancy, but as our maize (corn) was unknown to the
Egyptians, of course there could have been none in their tombs. The
term corn, in the early times, embraced a number of grains, hence
Mrs. Whitman, in a fine description of Ceres, the goddess of the har-
vest, does not violate any of the dramatic unities when she says:
“*All the wealth
Of wreathed poppies and of sheathed corn
By Ceres, on her stately temples borne.”
WHEAT.
(Triticum Vulgare.)
It ranks third in quantity of the grains raised for food, and _ first
in civilized lands. It is raised most extensively in the United States,
Russia, Turkey, Denmark, Hungary and Chili. Two of the great
wheat countries are nowin mortal conflict. ‘The loss to their produc-
tive industry must be immense, and its effects upon the price of bread-
stuffs will tell more plainly next year than at the present time.
In 1874, our country raised three hundred and nine million one
hundred and two thousand seven hundred bushels of wheat. ‘The ay-
erage yield per acre was twelve and three-tenths bushels. An aston-
ishing illustration of western progress is shown in a report from Cal-
ifornia. In 1850 that State raised seventeen thousand two hundred
bushels. In 1874, twenty-one million five hundred and four thousand
bushels. A competent authority, in speaking of that region, says,
that *‘from two thousand to four thousand acres is a moderate size
for a wheat farm, and there are not a few ten times as large.” ‘The
excellent variety, known as Tea Wheat, is said to have been first
grown from seed found in a chest of tea.
There is perhaps no better example of wasteful farming, than
that given by New York in the abuse of her wheat fields, where the
average yield has declined from thirty to six bushels per acre, while
that of England, after hundreds of years of cultivation, has risen
from six to thirty.
ie
RYE.
(Secale Cereale.)
Its origin is not known. It varies less under cultivation than any
other grain, only two varieties, the winter and spring rye being sown.
The firm and glossy straw is very useful for many purposes. Flour-
ishing on new and poor soil, it seems to furnish the appropriate com-
plement to the wheat crop, and yields, in many lands, the wholesome
bread of the poor. In Sweden they make thin cakes of it and string
them; they will keep thus for half a year. Our yield, in 1870, was
twenty million bushels.
BARLEY.
(Hordeum Vulgare.)
This ismore widely diffused, and more generally, though not large-
ly used, than any other grain. In early times it formed one of the
principal articles of food throughout the world. Nowa great part of
the crop, in many countries, is used, or rather misused, for the pro-
duction of malt liquors; one of the most monstrous perversions of
the bounties of Providence which can be found in the history of hu-
man sin and weakness. Our yield, in 1870, was fifteen million eight
hundred and twenty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight
bushels.
OATS.
(Avena Sativa.)
This is one of our most beautiful as well as productive cereals.
Its grains contain a very large amount of the phosphates, consequent-
ly it is an exhausting crop, and for the same reason is a stimulating
and nourishing food. The old saying that a horse ‘‘feels his oats,” is
one of those attestations to truth which we sometimes find in popu-
lar language. The Irish use it extensively as an article of diet, and
in the form of oat-meal it often finds a place upon our breakfast ta-
bles. No doubt it could be used more generally than it is, with deci-
ded advantage. Dr. Johnson, it seems, did not have a very high
opinion of it, as he certainly did not of Scotchmen, for he sneeringly
remarked: ‘In England, oats are food for horses, in Scotland they
are food for men.” ‘I'wo or three varieties are particularly common.
Probably the best, the potato-oat, was accidentally found in a potato
field. This, again, shows us the value of farmers keeping their eyes
_wide open.
In 1870, there were raised in the United States, two hundred and
eighty-two million one hundred and seven thousand one hundred and
fifty-seven bushels, Fifty bushels on a single acre is a good crop,
though a greater number is not uncommon. There were produced, on
the farm of the Institute, this summer, on five-sixteenths of an acre,
(the piece selected for measurement), twenty-eight bushels and one
78.
peck; which would make a fraction over ninety bushels to the acre;
these were the horse-mane oats, so called because the grains incline
to one side of the stalk.
MILLET.
(Panicum Miliaceum. )
The branch of the grass family to which this belongs, is not re-
markable for useful members. There are eight hundred and _ fifty
species of this genus, and millet is the only one that is of much val-
ue. Millet is sometimes ground for meal, and is said to contain more
nutritious matter than any other grain. ;
The name was given to this grain from the latin, mille, thousand,
on account of the vast number of its seeds. Speaking of the number
of seeds, I am reminded of the interesting table furnished by Mr.
Flint:
June Grass, about 3,888,000 seeds to the pound.
Orchard ‘¢ $f "640, 000
Timothy ie ae 100, 000 * 6 ¥
Sweet Vernal ‘‘ "923,200 “ec 66 6s
INDIAN RICE, WATER OATS.
(Zizania Aquatica.)
Most persons must have observed this beautiful plant growing in
the marshes and on the banks of our rivers. The Indians, in their
savage state, have always used it extensively for food. Pushing their
canoes through the graceful branches, as they grow up out of the
water, they bend them, and beat off the seeds into their boats. The
stalk itself, when tender. is said to be the sweetest of grasses. The
rail bird and the Baltimore oriole are exceedingly fond of its seeds,
and seek it on the shores of the Delaware and Chesapeake, to the
great delight of the watching sportsman. More than one author has
recommended that civilized man should adopt and domesticate this
wild, but promising denizen of the forest, one remarking: ‘“This plant
seems to be designed by nature to become the bread-corn of the
North.” Nature sometimes seems to pour her richest gifts into the
laps of her idlest children. The amount of ground, which, in wheat,
would support one man, in bananas would sustain twenty-five. No
“sower goes forth to sow” the wild rice of the cold northwest, but a
little observation will reveal the truth, that she brings her choicest
treasures tothe noble toilers in her fields.
SUGAR CANE.
(Saccharum Officinarum. )
The sources of sugar are numerous. In early times it was pro-
duced from dates, bananas, and other fruits. The maple, in our own
section. yields a large quantity. Beets, sorghum, corn and sugar
cane have it in considerable amount, but our greatest source of sup-
79.
ply is the last mentioned. The West Indies and Gulf States. yield
immense quantities, which are shipped to all quarters of the globe.
The mode of planting is quite similar to that practiced in the raising
of corn, though cuttings are planted instead of seeds.
A very interesting member of the genera sorghum, to which the
sugar cane belongs, is broom-corn. We owe this valuable grain to
the investigating habits of Dr. Franklin. Being shown a curious
brush which had been brought from eastern Asia, he examined it
carefully, and found a single seed; he planted it, and this was the
beginning of the great industries which are now connected with the
cultivation of this plant and the production of brooms. ‘his is not
the only blessing which farmers have derived from that wonderful
embodiment of common and uncommon sense. The precepts of
“Poor Richard” still pass as current coin among them. ‘To him we
owe the introduction of plaster as a fertilizer. It is said that he
brought it into use by sowing it over a field of grain on a hill-side,
so as to form, in immense letters, the sentence, ‘‘Effects of Gypsum.”
The rapid growth which followed, soon made the plaster speak for
itself.
BAMBOO.
(Bambusa Arundinacea. )
This is the king of the grasses, and stands head and _ shoulders
above all the other members of his excellent family, for he sometimes
rises to the height of one hundred feet. It is not his stature alone
that makes him great, but the varied and useful qualities which he
possesses. We cannot do better than quote a description of the won-
derful and almost innumerable uses served by this member of the
grass family.
‘“lhe young and tender shoots are boiled and eaten, or preserved
by the confectioners, and, as sweetmeats, are delicious. The roots
serve many curious purposes. The tubes are in constant use in many
departments of human industry; not only are entire houses and boats
made of them, in some cases, but various kinds of ornamental screen
work, for interior decoration; also the yards of vessels, and the tack-
ing poles by which boats are propelled in calm and shallow waters.
The straightest of the tubes have been used for astronomical pur-
poses, and cheap acqueducts are in common use, formed by fitting
the ends together. Shreds are made from the bamboo by softening it
in water and flattening the section, and these when split fine are made
into rain cloaks. Floats to tie on the backs of little children who
live in boats on rivers, as well as the poles by which strong coolies
carry burdens, come alike from this tree. Water-wheels, ropes, chairs,
tables, bookcases, boxes, hats, umbrellas, pipe-sticks, fancy fau-cases,
cups, Measures for grain, shields, pike and spear handles, and paper,
all are formed from the bamboo. The pith is used for lamp-wicks,
and exquisite carvings, inlaid with silver and gold, and far more el-
20.
egant than ivory work, are produced from the hard stem. From the
large quantity of silex in the wood, thin slices make good knives.”
After this description, none will be disposed to dispute the title
of the bamboo as ‘‘king of the grasses.”
Such are a few of the most important members of this interest-
ing family. Let us now briefly consider their homes.
MEADOWS.
The plowing of land for the sowing of grass is of comparatively
recent origin, but the nurturing of meadows for the production of
hay is of early date. This was very largely accomplished in the east
by means of irrigation. A remarkable illustration of the effects of
improved culture can be found in the history of the Moors in Grena-
da. faving conquered this portion of Spain, which is not remarka-
ble for its agricultural excellence, they introduced the improvements
of their own country, building acqueducts and canals for flooding,
and raised the products of her soil to an annual sum of thirty mil-
lions of dollars,—more money then than the yearly revenue of all the
Christian sovereigns of the world. Irrigation is the source of the
fertility along the Po, on the plains of Lombardy, and the meadows
around Edinboro, over the latter of which they pour their liquid ma-
nures, and thus secure the astonishing yield which has been already
mentioned. Our meadows are abused and not farmed. We stint
them of seeds and rob them of fertilizers. If this continues it is not
difficult to foresee the result. ‘The practice of selling our hay if not
carefully watched, will surely impoverish these fertile valleys. We
have already learned from the census maps where our strength lies.
If we continue to shear our fields and deprive them of their strength,
they will become like Samson shorn of his hair. Rather double the
seed, use every pound of fertilizer you can get, plow under the rich
growth of grass and weeds, and with the nicest care guard one of
the richest treasures ever vouchsafed to a prosperous people.
PASTURES.
The earliest traditions of the world are connected with a pastoral
life. The wealth of the early generations consisted chiefly in flocks.
The future King of Israel tended the cattle, and from the beautiful
scenes around him received those poetic impressions which are often
breathed forth from his inspired lyre, now rising to sublime strains,
now sinking to pensive and restful sweetness as he sings: **He maketh
me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still
water.”
Our own pastures yield the largest amount of our money, but
their beauty is sometimes hard to see. When do the cattle bring the
farmer his gains? In the summer. When, then, slfould they be best
fed? We answer, in the summer. Let them go in clover and timo-
thy up to their eyes, not in the marshes, where there is nothing to
21.
eat but brambles and blackberry vines. I am satisfied we have too
much land in our pastures; half as much, brushed, seeded, harrowed
or plowed, and sowed, would give a far richer return.
A better opportunity for a display of judgment, skill and good
economy, was never offered than that presented in the problem,
How shall we improve and bring to the highest productiveness, our
pasture lands ?
PAMPAS.
Stretching away from the base of the Cordilleras, and elsewhere
in South America, these great plains extend over an area of a million
and a half square miles, equal to half the surface of the United
States. Here countless herds find abundant pasture. Though there
were no cattle in South America at the time it was discovered, it is
estimated that there are now more feeding wild on the pampas, than
there are of domesticated cattle in all Europe. They live chiefly up-
on a luxuriant growth of clover and thistles, greatly preferring them
to the pampa grass. If the bamboo, by reason of strength should be
crowned king, the pampa grass, by reason of beauty, should be
named .“‘queen.” Rising to the height of six feet, with a breadth as
great, it throws up lofty panicles, ten or fifteen feet from the ground,
waving with asilky and silvery lustre; its splendid flowers, sometimes
tinted with yellow and purple, and the great leaves. occasionally
varied with white. Imagine a horseman, with lasso in hand, riding
at full speed under their nodding plumes, after the fleeing herd, and
you have one of the most picturesque scenes of that southern land.
PRAIRIES.
Buffalo paths and Indian trails are rapidly giving place to public
highways and railroads. Yet there will long linger in the traditions
of men, stories of the earlier times, when the wild beast fed upon
the rich prairies of the west.
The Buffalo Grass, like its associate in name, is the hardy native
of our soil. It seems fitted to resist alike the heat of summer and the
frosts of winter. ‘The pionecr often finds it to be his best friend,
though old men tell of fearful scenes, when, wrapped in flames and
smoke, it threatened to become to them a billowy sea of death.
LAWNS.
The wavy outline of these blue hills and sky is beautiful. These
magnificent forests are grand, but there is one element of loveliness
which our section possesses that surpasses all others,—it is the rich-
ness, greenness and abundance of our grass. Shall we not make the
most of it? Let us spread it out smooth, like a carpet, even and vel-
vety, before our homes. Displace the pig-pen and the wood-pile
from the front yard, straighten the fence, curve the paths, cut down
the weeds, and let the grace and beauty that surround the English
ae.
cottage, adorn the places where we live. I plead for the wife and
children, that they may have a. spot for flowers and fragrance, the
green turf, soft to the weary feet, for romping and croquet in the
evening twilight: tall trees to spread their ample shade along the
road, not less than blossoming orchards in your fields. A little taste
would transform scores. of places that we see, now harsh and re-
pulsive, into pleasant and attractive homes. ‘here may be no carpet
on the floor, but there can be one spread upon the yard, fairer than
Tyrian purple and more enduring than the costly fabrics of Brussels.
Oh! when shall we learn that ‘‘the life is more than meat,” that it is
wise to gladden the hearts of wives and children, and the aged, by
surrounding our homes with the atmosphere of beauty ?
LANDSCAPES.
There is one who has striven all his life long to awaken in the
hearts of English-speaking people, the sentiment of love for the
beautiful. A poet who writes in prose, a painter who never touches
brush to canvas,—Ruskin, the arc critic of old England. Listen to his
matchless words as he points out to us such loveliness as we never
saw in grass before:
‘The Greeks, we have seen, delighted in the grass for its useful-
ness; the mediaeval, as also we moderns, for its color and beauty.
But both dwell on it as the jirst element of the lovely landscape.
Gather a single blade of grass and examine for a minute, quietly, its
narrow, sword shaped strip of fluted green. Nothing, as it seems
there, of notable goodness or beauty. And yet, think of it well, and
judge whether of all the gorgeous fiowers that bloom in the summer
air, and of all strong and goodly trees, pleasant to the eye and good
for food, stately palm and pine, strong ash and oak, scented citron,
burdened vine,—there be any by man so deeply loved, by God so
highly graced, as that narrow point of tender green. And well does
it fulfill its mission. Consider what we owe merely to the meadow
grass—to the covering of the dark ground by that glorious enamel,
by the companies of those soft and countless and peaceful spears.
The fields! Follow forth but for a little while the thoughts of all
that we ought to recognize in those words. All spring and summer
is in them—the walks by silent, scented paths—the rests in noonday
heat—the joy of herds and flocks—the power of all shepherd life and
meditation,—the life of sunlight upon the world, falling in emerald
streaks, and failing in soft, blue shadows, where else it would have
struck upon the dark mould or scorching dust,—pastures beside the
pacing brooks,—soft banks and knolls of lovely hills,—young slopes
of down, overlooked by the blue line of lifted sea,—crisp lawn, all
dim with early dew, or smooth in evening’s warmth of barred sun-
shine, dinted with happy feet, and softening in their fall the sound
of loving voices. All these are summed up in those simple words;
23.
and these are not all. As you follow the winding mountain path,
beneath arching boughs all veiled and dim with blossoms,—paths that
forever droop and rise over the green banks and mounds sweeping
down in scented undulations steep to the blue water, studded here
and there with new-mown heaps, filling all the air with fainter sweet-
ness, look up toward the higher hills, where the waves of everlasting
green rollsilently into their long inlets among the shadows of the
pines; and we may, perhaps, at last know the meaning of those quiet
words: ‘He maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.’”
~ CONCLUSION.
In conclusion:—Be proud of your farms, whether large or small.
Know that the landholder is the true lord. It has ever been so. That
is a fine old picture given us of Cincinnatus at the plow, going from
it as dictator to save his country, and quickly returning to it when his
task was done. The world looked on in wonder to see that act re-
peated on a large scale in our own day, when our farmers and their
sons left their plows to save their country, and when their work was
accomplished, contrary to the sneering prophesy of tyrants, hastened
back to resume their labors.
Horace Greely thus closes his history of the American Conflict;
“Thus rapidly, as well as peacefully and joyously, were the mighti-
est hosts ever called into the field by a republic, restored to the tran-
quil paths of industry and thrift. melting back by regiments into qui-
et citizenship, with nothing to distinguish them from others but the
proud consciousness of having served and saved their country.”
A distinguished officer in our regular army, owns a poor little
farm on the coast of Rhode Island. He never lives on it, but cherish-
es it with the fondest care; for, said he to me, ‘‘It has been in our
family two hundred years, descending from father to son, to my boy
next, and so on I hope till the crack of doom.” Young men, are you
eager to leave the farm-house and the farm? You make a great mis-
take. Mercantile life in the city has nothing to offer you as an
equivalent for what you lose. Careful statistics show that 95 per cent.
of the young men who go from the country to seek their fortunes in
the city, make a failure. 'Tilling the soilis better work than measuring
tape. It will bea happy day for our country when this wretched
disposition among our young people, to leave the fields and manual
labor for the hazards of business, shall be radically changed. ‘The
professions are over-stocked. ‘The banks and stores have more clerks
than they want; but the blessed acres of God are still plentiful, and
invite all willing hands to sieze their riches. Let the young farmer
become intelligent and observing. Let him secure the best education
the country affords, and it is in hisspower; remembering that it is
mind that conquers matter, that thought alone creates invention, over-
comes the barrenness of soils, supplies fertilizers, crowns the earth
with fertility, and blesses man with wealth and a higher civilization.
24,
Be proud of your heritage and happy in your work. When Croesus,
the wealthiest man of antiquity, asked Solon, the wise man of Greece,
who he thought was the happiest man in the world, Solon answered;
‘'Tulus, an Athenian, for he owns twelve acres of land which ,
he tills with his own hands, and possesses a lovely wife and ten con-
tented children.”
Yours is a life of toil, of hard hands and sweaty brows, but it
may be blessed with virtue, health, plenty, and more than kingly in-—
dependence, for
‘‘Honor waits o’er all the earth,
Through endless generations;
The art that calls her harvests forth,
And feeds the expectant nations.”
APPENDIX.
tt -9 SOY e-e—-
Through the courtesy of Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., | of
New York, I am permitted to use the beautiful lithographic engray-
ings of the grasses published by them in their admirable work, ‘‘The
Lessons and Manual of Botany,” by Prof. Asa Gray. The illustra-
tious cover the whole sixty-six genera mentioned and described by
him. I have also used his explanations of the plates, simply adding
such remarks as will make them intelligible to any who may not have
a critical knowledge of the subject.
The parts inclosed in each parenthesis are explanatory of what
immediately precedes them, thus:—Leersia oryzoides, (Rice Cut-
grass. )
The first name, printed in larger type, is the name of a genus;
the second word, which is afterwards joined to it, is the name of a
species of that genus; for example, LEERsIA, (genus), Leersia ory-
zoides (the name of a species), and so on through all the expla-
nations.
26. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE VII.
LEERSIA (White Grass. )—Panicle of Leersia oryzoides (Rice Cut-
grass) reduced in size (1); a branchlet of the same, with its spike-
lets (little flowers of the grasses), of the natural size (2); and an
open spikelet in flower, enlarged (3).
ZIZANIA, (Water or Indian Rice).—A staminate (flowers having
stamens but not pistils), (1), and a pistilate (flower having pistils
but not stamens), (2), flower or spikelet of Zizania Aquatica (In-
dian Rice, Water Oats); a magnified pistil with a pair of scales
(3); a grain (4); and a magnified longitudinal section of the
lower part of the same, showing the embryo (the rudimentary,
undeveloped plantlet in the seed) at the outside of the base of the
albumen.
ALOPECURUS (Fox-tail Grass).—Part of a plant of Alopecurus geni-
culatus (Floating Fox-tall) in flower (1) ; a few spikelets from
the spike-like infloresence (mode of flowering), moderately mag-
nified (2) ; an open spikelet in flower, more magnified (3), and
the single lower palet (chaff) detached (4).
PHLEUM (Cat’s-tail Grass).—A detached spikelet of Phleum pratense
(Timothy Herd’s Grass in New England and New York) having
the flower with its palets (chaff or minor husks of grass) raised
above the glumes (chaff or outer hnsks of each spikelet), mag-
nified.
CrYPsis (Crypsis).—Infloresence (1) of Crypsis scholnoides; a sepa-
rate enlarged spikelet (2); and the same open, in flower (3).
VILFA (Rush Grass).—An enlarged spikelet of Vilfa vaginaefiara (1)
and the same displayed (2).
SPAROBALUS (Drop-seed Grass).—A spikelet of Sparobolus eryptan-
drus. magnified (1); the same with the flower open, the palets
raised above the glumes (2); and the fruit (3), more magnified,
showing the seed loose in the pericarp (the skin or covering of
the seed).
AGROSTIS (Bent-grass).—Panicle of Agrostis vulgaris (Red-top,
Herd’s-grass in Pa.) (1); with an enlarged open spikelet of the
same; also (3) the rough pedicel (the stalk of each particular
flower of a cluster) and glumes or chaff of Agrostis scabra (Hair
grass) with the flower separated, the latter having no upper palet
or chaff.
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30. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE VIII
POLYPOGON (Beard-grass).—Spike-like, contracted panicle of Poly-
pogon Monspeliensis (1); an enlarged, detached spikelet, showing
the long awns (a bristle-like appendage to the flower of some
grasses) to the glumes (2); the same openin flower (3); and a
separate flower without the glumes (4).
CINNA (Wood Reed-grass).—A magnified spikelet of Cinna armdina-
cea (1); and the same open, displaying the palet, the single stam-
ens and the pistil (2).
MUHLENDERGIA (Drop-seed).—A magnified closed spikelet of Muhl-
endergia sylvatica (1); the same with the open flower raised out
of the glumes (2); a magnified spikelet of Muhlendergia differa
(Nimble Will) (3); its minute and unequal glumes more magni-
fied (4); and an open spikelet of the same (5).
BRACHYELYTRUM.—A spikelet of Brachyelytrum aristatum enlarged
(1); the same displayed (2);
CALAMAGROSTIS (Reed Bent-grass).—An open spikelet of Calama-
grostis Canadensis (Blue Joint-grass) enlarged, displaying all the
parts (1); the same with the flower raised out of the glumes,
showing the hairy rudiment behind the upper palet (2).
ORYZOPSIS (Mountain Rice).—An open, magnified spikelet of Ory-
zopsis asperifolia (1); and the flower of the same removed from
the glumes (2). Notice the remarkably long hypogynous (insert-
ed under the pistil) scales, which here nearly equal the palets in
length.
Stipa (Feather-grass).—Glumes and flower (a little separated) of
Stipa avenacea (Black Oat-grass) enlarged.
ARISTIDA (Tripple-awned Grass).—A spikelet of Aristida purpuras-
cens, enlarged.
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By EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE IX.
SPARTINA (Cord or Marsh Grass).—Portion of the infloresence of
Spartina stricta (Salt Marsh Grass) of the natural size (1); a
spikelet enlarged (2); and the same displayed, the flower raised
above the glumes (3).
CTENIUM (‘Toothache Grass).—Spike of Ctenium.Americanum (1); a
single spikelet magnified (2); and the same displayed, the glumes
separated (3).
BOUTELOUA (Muskit Grass).—A portion of the compound spike, of
the natural size (1); and a spike displayed and magnified (2);
the flower raised out of the glumes.
GYMNOPOGON (Naked-beard Grass).—Infloresence of gymnopogon
racemosus, reduced in size (1); and a magnified spikelet with the
parts displayed (2).
CYNODON (Bermuda or Scotch Grass).—Infloresence of digitate
(spreading out like the fingers of the hand) spikes (1); a spike-
let magnified and displayed, showing a perfect flower and a rudi-
ment (2).
DACTYLOCTENIUM (Egyptian Grass).—Infloresence of Dactylocteni-
um Egyptiacum, of digitate spikes (1); one of the spikelets mag-
nified (2); the fruit magnified (3); showing the seed loose in the
thin pericarp, and (4) the wrinkled seed more magnified.
ELEUSINE (Crab-Grass Yard-Grass).—One of the spikes from the
digitate infloresence of Elusine Indica (Dog’s-tail or Wire Grass)
(1); a magnified spikelet (2); the same with the flowers more dis-
played (3); a flower of the last, showing its parts (4); the fruit
showing the seed loose in the pericarp (5); and the wrinkled seed
detached (6)
SEPTOCHLOA.—Small portion of the infloresence of Septochloa fascu-
laris (1); one of its spikelets displayed and magnified (2); an
open flower of the same (3).
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38. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE X.
TRICUSPIS.—Magnified spikelet of Tricuspis sulerioides (Tall Red-
top) (1); the same displayed and the lowest flower open (2);
back view of the lower palets spread out (3).
GRAPHEPHORUM.—A magnified spikelet of Graphephorum melicoi-
des displayed (1); a part of the hairy rhachis (the axis of the
spike) and one flower of the same (3).
DIARRHENA.—A spikelet of Diarrhena Americana enlarged (1); the
grain and palets (2).
Dacry is (Orchard Grass).—A spikelet of Dactylis glomerata magni-
fied and «lisplayed.
KOELERIA.—A magnified spikelet of Koeleria cristata, expanded,
showing the glumes, the three flowers and a rudiment (1); lower
part of a lower palet partly spread open (2); it is much more
folded and keeled in its natural condition.
EATONIA.—A magnified spikelet of Eatonia obturata, expanded,
showing the glumes, the two flowers and a rudiment.
MELICA (Melic Grass).—A magnified spikelet of Melica mutica, ex-
panded, showing the glumes, two perfect (having stamens and
pistils) flowers and an abortive one.
GLYCERIA (Manna Grass).—A magnified spikelet of Glyceria nerva-
ua (Fowl-Meadow Grass) (1); a separate flower with one joint of
the rachis (2); and (3) the lower half of a lower palet, showing
its form (rounded on the back, not keeled).
BRIZOPYRUM (Spike Grass).—A pistillate spikelet of Brizopyrum spi-
catum, enlarged, (1); a flower from the same (2); and a flower
from a staminate spikelet (3).
Poa (Meadow Grass, Spear Grass).—Panicle of Poa compressed
(Wire Grass) reduced in size (1); a magnified spikelet (2) a sep-
arate flower more magnified (3); a lower palet cut across and
somewhat outspread (4).
ERAGROSTIS.—A spikelet of Eragrostis pilosa enlarged (1); the same
from which the glumes and all of six lower flowers except the
upper palet have fallen away (2); a magnified flower open (3);
the lower palet of the same outspread (4).
BrizA (Quaking Grass).—A spikelet of Briza media enlarged (1); a
separate flower (2).
FESTUCA (Fescue Grass).—A spikelet of Festuca elatior (‘Taller or
Meadow Fescura) enlarged (1); a separate flower (2); lower part
of a lower palet outspread (3).
Bromus (Broom Grass).—A spikelet of Bromus secalimus or chess
(1); and a separate flower enlarged (2).
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49. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE XI.
UNIOLA (Spike Grass).—A spikelet of Uniola Latifolia of about the nat-
ural size (1); a flower enlarged (2); empty lower palet of the
lowest (sterile) flower (3).
PHRAGMITES.—A spikelet of Phragmites communis énlarged (1); one
of the perfect (having both pistils and stamens) flowers. enlarged
(2) and the lowest flower (3) which has stamens only.
ARUNDINARIA.—A spikelet of Arundinaria macrosperma (1); and a
separate flower magnified (2),
LrepTurRvs.—Portion of the spike of Lepturus paniculatus enlarged
(1); and a flower magnified (2).
Loxium (Darnel).—Portion of the spike of Lolium temulentum (1)
and a separate flower magnified (2). This is the only species of
grass that is poisonous.
TRiITICUM (Wheat).—Portion of the spike of Triticum repens (Couch
Quitch or Quick Grass) of about the natural size (1); a flower
magnified (2).
HORDEUM (Barley).—The three one-flowered spikelets from one joint
of the spike of Hordeum jublatum (Squirrel-tail Grass) with their
awn-like glumes, the lateral flowers abortive and neutral, the
middle one alone perfect (1); this perfect flower (with an awn-
like rudiment) open and enlarged (2).
ELymus (Lime Grass, Wild Rye).—The two spikelets of one joint of
the spike of Eiymus Virginicus, about the natural size (1); the
glumes and the flowers of one spikelet enlarged and displayed
(2); and an open flower more magnified (3).
GYMNOSTICHUM (Bottle-brush Grass).—A spikelet of Gymnostichum
Hystrix (1); and an expanded flower magnified (2)
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46. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE XII,
AIRA (Hair-Grass).—Panicle of Aira flexuosa (Common Hair Grass)
(1); a spikelet magnified, the parts displayed (2); and one of the
flowers detached and open (3).
DANTHONIA (Wild Oat-grass).—Panicle of Danthonia spicata (1); a
spikelet enlarged (2); and a separate flower of the same (3).
TRISETUM,—A spikelet of 'Trisetum subspicatum, expanded and mag-
nified (1); and a separate open flower (2).
AVENA (Oat).—A spikelet of Avena stricta displayed and magnified .
(1); and a separate flower (2).
ARRHENATHERUM (Oat-grass).—A spikelet of Arrhenatherum averace-
um displayed and magnified (1); the glumes (2); the flowers, the
lower one staminate only, the next one perfect, and the third a
rudiment.
Ho.tcus (Meadow Soft-grass).—A spikelet of Holcus lavatus (Velvet
Grass) magnified (1); the same displayed to show the two flow-
ers, the lower one perfect and awnless, the upper staminate and
awned (2).
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50. * EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE XIil.
HIEROCHLOA (Holy Grass).—A spikelet of Hierochloa borealis (Va-
nilla or Seneca Grass) enlarged (1); the same displayed, the flow-
ers separate from the glumes, the two lateral ones with their sta-
mens and no pistil; the middle or terminal one with a pistil and
only two stamens (2).
ANTHOXANTHUM (Sweet Vernal Grass).—The spikelet-like inflores-
ence of Anthoxanthum odoratum (1); a spikelet magnified (2);
another with the parts displayed, the flowers raised from the
glumes, the lateral ones neutral, each of a single and awnedypalet,
the middle one perfect (3).
e
PHALARIS (Canary Grass).—A spikelet of Phalaris a rundinacea en-
larged (1); the glumes and the perfect flower, with a hairy rudi-
ment on each side of it (2).
MiLiIum (Millet Grass).—Portion of the panicle of Milium. effusum
(1); a closed spikelet magnified (2), and the same displayed (2).
AMPHICARPUM.—A spikelet from the panicle of amphicarpum Pur-
shii magnified (1); the same with the parts displayed (2); and a
radicle (fertile) spikelet enlarged (3).
PASPALUM.—Infloresence of Paspalum laeve (1); a closed spikelet
enlarged (2); the same with the parts displayed (3).
PANIcUM (Panic Grass).—Part of a spike of Panicum (Digitaria)
sanguinale (Common Crab or Finger Grass) (1); one of its spike-
lets enlarged (2); the same with the parts displayed (3); in this
the lower flower is neutral and of a single palet. A spikelet of
Panicum Capillare (Old-witch Grass) magnified (4); and thesame
displayed (5); the lower flower a single palet. A spikelet of
Panicum clandestinum magnified (6); and the same displayed (7)
the lower neutral of two palets. A spikelet of Panicum virgatum
magnified (8); the same displayed (9); the lower palets of two
flowers and staminate.
SETARIA (Bristly Fox-tail Grass).—A magnified spikelet of Setaria
glauca (Foxtail) with the accompanying cluster of bristles (1);
the spikelet displayed, showing the neutral lower flower of two
palets and the perfect flower (2).
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54. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATE XIV.
CENCHRUS (Hedgehog or Bur Grass).—Involinere (a whorl or set of
little leaves called bracts under and around certain flowers) of
Cenchrus tribuloides in flower enlarged (1); longtitudinal section
of the same (2); a spikelet displayed (3); the stigmas should be-
long to the right-hand flower; the left-hand or lower fiower is
only staminate.
TRIPSACUM (Gama Grass, Sesame Grass).—Piece of the spike of the
natural size, pistillate below, staminate above (1); a longitudinal
section of one of the pistillate spikelets (2); a pistillate spikelet
With its parts displayed (3); a staminate (two-flowered) spikelet
with its parts displayed (4).
ERIANTHUsS (Woolly Beard:grass).—Part of the hairy infloresence
with two spikelets of Erianthus alopecuroides enlarged (1); one of
the spikelets displayed (2).
ANDROPOGON (Beard Grass).—Small portion of the spike of Andro-
pogon furcatus enlarged, with one fertile and awned spikelet, and
one staminate and awnless spikelet (1); the fertile spikelet (2);
and the staminate (3) displayed.
SORGHUM (Broom Corn).—A fertile spikelet of Sorghum nutans (In-’
dian Grass Wood Grass) enlarged, with a sterile pedicel (having
no flowers on the flower stem) on each side (1); the spikelet dis-
played (2).
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